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Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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Case Study, Peer Review Study
Practice strategy involves including unhoused peer ambassadors in outreach plans to encourage vaccination against Covid-19 in homeless encampments/shelters. Peer ambassadors were found to be effective in promoting vaccination among their peers. However, some concerns existed around the ethics of exploiting the trust unhoused PAs had with their communities, as well as apathy and frustration towards the academic and bureaucratic nature of the research study.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Case Study, Key Informant Interview
This case study discusses how Hawaii’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) partnered with state housing services to organize isolation and quarantine services for people experiencing homelessness. This department also focused on substance use disorder and mental illness, so they worked to build partnerships with treatment centers that individuals could enter after quarantine. The BHA has also focused on braiding funding sources between substance use disorder and homelessness efforts to provide more wraparound services and combat the siloization of different departments.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Case Study
This paper describes how a local public health agency joined a multi-sector community partnership made up of community-based organizations, clinical providers, and peer navigators and others with lived experience of homelessness. Together, this group created a strategic plan to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on people experiencing homelessness. They prioritized education, increased resource allocation and testing in shelters, and slated housing for those who tested positive or those at increased risk of COVID complications. Most of this work took place in shelters.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Case Study
This paper describes how a local public health agency joined a multi-sector community partnership made up of community-based organizations, clinical providers, peer navigators, and individuals with lived experience of homelessness. Together, this group created a strategic plan to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on people experiencing homelessness. They prioritized education, increased resource allocation and testing in shelters, and slated housing for those who tested positive or those at increased risk of COVID-19 complications. Most of this work took place in shelters.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Case Study
This report collects the strategies that urban health departments used to protect residents experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness during COVID-19. Strategies included working with community partners (particularly shelters) to expand housing, increasing outreach and resource allocation to people experiencing homelessness, and building better communication networks.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Case Study
This article summarizes COVID-19 harm reduction approaches taken by a family medicine/OBGYN residency program serving rural, western North Carolina for patients with an opioid use disorder. To meet patient needs, low acuity patients were offered telehealth options and digital prescriptions for buprenorphine/naloxone. For higher acuity patients, in=person visits were maintained and the risk/benefits were weighed on a continuous basis.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Case Study
This article describes the impact of COVID-19-specific adaptations at two sites delivering a federally funded substance use treatment program for people living with or at-risk of HIV in Massachusetts. The success of the adaptations varied based on the site. For example, the transition to telemedicine was successful at the STI clinic, but not the community-based organization. However, the article does identify some adaptations that were successful in each setting, and the authors report process outcomes for these adaptations. The practice strategy this article is focused on is continuity of care for people with substance use disorder who are living with or at-risk of HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Case Study
This article describes the Rhode Island Buprenorphine Hotline, a “tele-bridge” clinic where patients undergo screening and, if appropriate, are prescribed buprenorphine for induction. This is a new model enabled by changes in federal guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Evaluation of the hotline is ongoing, but initial reception among hotline users and providers is positive. The practice strategy this article is focused on is promoting access to medication assisted treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Case Study
The Rebuilding Neighborhoods Initiative convened community organizers, small business owners, and corporations in the technology and innovation sector to develop community-centered, implementable solutions addressing gentrification and the lack of affordable housing in three greater Boston neighborhoods. Six monthly meetings were held on topics related to affordable housing. Each neighborhood had a team of 5-6 individuals who were developing and committing to shared goals towards equitable development.